Investigators say smoking was likely to blame for the fire that killed a man and injured 3 officers this past Motzei Shabbos as reported here on TLS. Authorities have not yet released his name because they have yet to find relatives. Eleven people were relocated and many residents were offered a place to say by community members as well as by Bikur Cholim. Three officers taken to KMC-Edward Miick and Steve Kawolski for smoke inhalation and Leonard Nieves Jr. for a cut to his hand. TLS also received an unconfirmed report, that the man who perished in the fire is believed to be the same person who caused a fire at the Motel back in October of 2008. (Click here for PHOTOS & VIDEO of the scene).
TLS/AP
did the smoke alarm go off in the room
I heard the residents say that the alarm DID go off, waking them from their sleep, & that other than the one fatality,they were all evacuated even BEFORE the FIRST firetruck got there!
i saw the police taking people out before the firetrucks i thing that is how they got hurt